Water On Tap: A Quick History Of Plumbing
While moving water from one place to another was common in many historic cultures, it was not until recent history that reliable water supplies were available to the general public. As far back as the Roman Empire, water was commonly distributed for human consumption, but it was not available to all homes. The most commonly used materials were earthen substances and lead. A common theory is that lead poisoning may have been a contributing factor in the fall of the Roman empire. While other theories relating to the history of plumbing contradict the lead poisoning theory, it remains true that lead is not the ideal substance for water distribution.
Many materials have been used to transport water since the Roman empire, but the most commonly used material for water supplies in the early twentieth century was galvanized metal. That material was commonly used until mid-century, when copper became the most heavily utilized material. The biggest drawback to the galvanized pipe was the tendency to rust. The rust first reduced the interior diameter of the pipe, and eventually the totally destroying the integrity of the pipe material. In terms of the history of plumbing, galvanized pipe was really only utilized for a short period of time.
In the 1960s, the history of plumbing saw copper became the material of choice for water distribution systems. While it does not rust, chemicals in the water served to deteriorate the pipe in some regions. In more recent times, the cost of copper has resulted in a lower demand for the material. Customers simply could not afford the increased expense, and other options became more commonly used. Consumers demanded a less expensive option, and many areas saw a rapid increase in the use of plastic piping like cpvc for water supply systems
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While there have been issues with many the various forms of plastic water lines during the history of plumbing, there is one type that is seeing increased use in recent years, as it has proved to be very versatile, and has had fewer problems than previously utilized types of plastic. That material, known in the industry as pex, is proving to be a valuable tool for plumbing of new buildings and also as a material for remodelers. It is expected that this material will see even more use in the immediate future. In some areas, water is also utilized for air conditioning and heating. Since those needs differ from simple movement of water, it is expected that newer materials will come on the market as researchers seek out ever-better options to meet the needs for future water consumers. |
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